Job Details for Legal Assistant & Office Services Coordinator

Court Name/Organization

Pennsylvania Middle Federal Public Defender

Overview of the Position

The selected candidate will provide centralized administrative and client-services support across the Harrisburg office, including significant support to our Capital Habeas Unit. We're looking for someone who is organized, dependable, welcoming and comfortable moving between front-office responsibilities, legal support, and the day-to-day operational needs of a busy law office.

Location

Harrisburg, PA

Opening and Closing Dates

08/11/2026 - Open Until Filled

Appointment Type

Permanent

Salary

Not specified

Announcement Number

0004

Position Description

Responsibilities will include managing the office's main telephone line and reception area; greeting visitors and coordinating deliveries; receiving, sorting, scanning, and distributing incoming mail and preparing outgoing mail; performing routine copying, scanning, document preparation, and other legal-assistant functions; and providing administrative support to attorneys, paralegals, investigators, and other staff as needed.

The position will also help keep the office running smoothly by monitoring supplies; coordinating copier, shredding, delivery, and other office services, assisting with office logistics; and serving as a point of contact for routine operational needs. The selected candidate should be comfortable taking ownership of responsibilities, following through on requests, identifying problems, and knowing when an issue needs to be escalated.

Qualifications

Candidates should have an associate degree or higher and prior experience in administrative, legal-support, office-services, or similar work. Experience in a law office, court government agency, or other professional office is helpful but not required.

Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills are essential. This position will regularly interact with clients, family members, visitors, court personnel, and others who may be calling or arriving under stressful circumstances. Many of our clients are incarcerated, and some may be experiencing significant mental-health, emotional, or other challenges. The selected candidate must treat people with patience, warmth, dignity, and respect; communicate without judgement; remain calm during difficult interactions; and maintain appropriate professional boundaries while making people feel supported.

Candidates must also be able to prioritize competing demands, work accurately despite frequent interruptions, exercise discretion and sound judgement, protect confidential information, and work both independently and as part of a team.

Employee Benefits

This is a full-time position. Starting salary depends on the position level and the applicant's experience and education. The selected candidate will also receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes generous insurance coverage, dependent and long-term insurance programs, flexible spending accounts, commuter benefits program, earned paid time off, mandatory participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System, optional participation in the Thrift Savings Plan retirement account with up to five percent agency matching contributions and an Employee Assistance Program. This position is subject to mandatory electronic transfer of pay (direct deposit).

Miscellaneous

Because this position provides front-office and in-person operational coverage, regular presence in the Harrisburg office is an essential part of the job. Therefore, this position does not qualify for telework. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of an FBI fingerprint and background check.

Application Info

We strive to make the hiring process transparent. Here's what you can expect:

• Application Submission: Interested applicants should submit a single pdf document that includes a cover letter, resume, and a list of references to Lorianne Link, personnel administator, at lorianne_[email protected] .

• Application Review: Applicants are being reviewed beginning Aug. 20, 2026, and the position will remain open until filled. You may assume the position remains available while this listing is active.

• Initial Interviews: Selected candidates will be invited for an in-person interview.

• Assessments/reference Checks: We will reach out to references and assess all interviewed candidates. Though we do not anticipate a second round of interviews, we reserve the right to request a more in-depth interview if desired.

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.